Device for detachably securing modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detachably securing modules (1), such as tool holders, to a third component (3), such as a rotatable tool disk for a machine tool, including a controllable securing device (51, 53), by which the respective module (1) can be re-secured in a detachable manner in a locked position on the third component (3) by individual securing parts (15). A release device (76, 77) at least partially helps to release the securing device (51, 53) in a release position, such that the release device (76, 77) at least at the beginning of releasing, exerts pressure on the securing device (51, 53) for releasing the individual securing parts (15).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for securing a module to a component, comprising:
 individual securing parts attaching the module to the component; 
 a controlled securing device locking the individual securing parts in positions attaching the module and the component, the securing device having first and second locking bolts interacting with and locking the individual securing parts; and 
 an unlocking device driving the securing device into an unlocked position disengaged with the individual securing parts by applying a retracting force on the first and second locking bolts, respectively, directly pushing the first and second locking bolts toward one another upon movement of first and second latches to unlock the individual securing parts, the unlocking device having the first and second latches engaging the first and second locking bolts, respectively, and exerting the retracting force thereon. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1  wherein
 a common actuator controls the securing device and the unlocking device, actuates the securing device in an actuating direction and actuates the unlocking device in an unlocking direction opposite the actuating direction. 
 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the individual securing parts comprise four securing bolts located on a contact surface of a tool holder forming the module and attaching the tool holder to a tool disk forming the component, the securing bolts being grouped in first and second pairs around a central region. 
 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 3  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts are actuated by a wedge-shaped first actuating part and control third and fourth locking bolts, respectively, at locations where the first and 
 second locking bolts detachably lock to the first pair of securing bolts, the third and fourth locking bolts detachably locking the second pair of securing bolts. 
 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 2  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts are movable toward the first and second latches, respectively, for locking and are located in a spanned common plane through which the module or the component extends; and 
 the common actuator is movable along a path lying in the spanned common plane. 
 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts are spring biased by a restoring device toward the unlocked position thereof. 
 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts are guided for displacement in first and second channel-shaped recesses, respectively, in the module or the component. 
 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1  wherein
 each of the first and second locking bolts comprise a rib at one end thereof facing the respective securing part, the securing parts being locking bolts with annular grooves, the ribs engaging the annular grooves in a locked state of the first and second locking bolts. 
 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 8  wherein
 a common actuator controls the securing device and the unlocking device, actuates the securing device in an actuating direction and actuates the unlocking device in an unlocking direction opposite the actuating direction; and 
 the common actuator comprises wedge-shaped first and second actuating parts, the first actuating part being at a free end of the common actuator and engaging and pushing the first and second locking bolts apart upon an increasing penetration motion in a first direction between the first and second locking bolts and pushing the ribs of the first and second locking bolts into engagement with the annular grooves, the second actuating part being on a side of the common actuator opposite the first actuating part and unlocking the first and second locking bolts from the individual securing parts upon movement in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 9  wherein
 the second actuating part comprises slanted surfaces forming a wedge shape, the slanted surfaces acting as control surfaces for the first and second latches unlocking the first and second latches upon movement of the common actuator in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 7  wherein
 a common actuator controls the securing device and the unlocking device, actuates the securing device in an actuating direction and actuates the unlocking device in an unlocking direction opposite the actuating direction; 
 the common actuator comprises wedge-shaped first and second actuating parts, the first actuating part being at a free end of the common actuator and engaging and pushing the first and second locking bolts apart upon an increasing penetration motion in a first direction between the first and second locking bolts pushing the first and second locking bolts into engagement with the individual securing parts, the second actuating part being on a side of the common actuator opposite the first actuating part and unlocking the first and second locking bolts from the individual securing parts upon movement in a second direction opposite the first direction; 
 each of the first and second latches comprises first and second latch parts being drivable into locking positions by the first actuating part, being movable in channels located in a common plane with the channel-shaped recesses guiding the first and second locking bolts. 
 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 11  wherein
 the second actuating part comprises slanted surfaces forming a wedge shape, the slanted surfaces acting as control surfaces for the first and second latches unlocking the first and second latches upon movement of the common actuator in the second direction; and 
 each of the first latch parts are drivable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first and second locking bolts by the slanted surfaces of the second actuating part moving in the second direction and move the second latch parts in directions perpendicular to movement of the first and second locking bolts using interacting slanted surfaces on the first and second latch parts; and 
 control surfaces on the second latch parts engage with slanted contact surfaces in recesses of the first and second locking blots generating the retracting force on the first and second locking bolts unlocking the first and second locking bolts. 
 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 2  wherein
 the common actuator is movable by a rotatable actuating screw in the actuating direction and the unlocking direction, the rotatable actuating screw being actuatable in a rotary manner from an end face of the module or the component. 
 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 2  wherein
 the common actuator comprises a wedge-shaped first actuating part engaging and controlling movement of the first and second locking bolts toward locking positions detachably locking respective pairs of securing bolts of the individual securing parts. 
 
     
     
       15. A device for securing a module to a component comprising:
 individual securing parts attaching the module to the component; 
 first and second locking bolts interacting with the individual securing parts and detachably locking the first and second locking bolts in locking positions thereof; 
 first and second latches engaging the first and second locking bolts, respectively, and exerting a retracting force thereon; and 
 a common actuator having first and second actuating parts, the first actuating part being wedge shaped at a first end thereof and moving the first and second locking bolts apart in a first direction with an increasing penetration motion forcing the first and second locking bolts in a locking engagement with the individual securing parts, the second actuating part on an opposite second end of the common actuator moving the first and second latches in a second direction opposite the first direction and apply the retracting force to the first and second locking bolts moving the first and second locking bolts toward one another and disengaging the first and second locking bolts from the individual securing parts. 
 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 15  wherein
 the individual securing parts comprise four securing bolts located on a contact surface of a tool holder forming the module and attaching the tool holder to a tool disk forming the component, the securing bolts being grouped in first and second pairs around a central region. 
 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 16  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts control third and fourth locking bolts, respectively, at locations where the first and second locking bolts detachably lock the first pair of securing bolts, the third and fourth locking bolts detachably locking the second pair of securing bolts. 
 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 15  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts are movable toward the first and second latches, respectively, for locking and are located in a spanned common plane through which the module or the component extends; and 
 the common actuator is movable along a path lying in the spanned common plane. 
 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 15  wherein
 the first and second locking bolts are spring biased by a restoring device toward an unlocking position thereof. 
 
     
     
       20. The device according to  claim 15  wherein
 each of the first and second locking bolts comprise a rib at one end thereof facing the respective individual securing part, the individual securing parts being locking bolts with annular grooves, the ribs engaging the annular grooves in a locking state of the first and second locking bolts. 
 
     
     
       21. The device according to  claim 15  wherein
 the second actuating part comprises slanted surfaces forming a wedge shape, the slanted surfaces acting as control surfaces for the first and second latches unlocking the first and second latches upon movement of the common actuator in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       22. The device according to  claim 15  wherein
 each of the first and second latches comprises first and second latch parts being drivable into locking positions by the first actuating part, being movable in channels located in a common plane with channel-shaped recesses guiding the first and second locking bolts. 
 
     
     
       23. The device according to  claim 22  wherein
 the second actuating part comprises slanted surfaces forming a wedge shape, the slanted surface acting as control surfaces for the first and second latches unlocking the first and second latches upon movement of the common actuator in the second direction; and 
 each of the first latch parts are drivable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first and second locking bolts by the slanted surfaces of the second actuating part moving in the second direction and move the second latch parts in directions perpendicular to movement of the first and second locking bolts using interacting slanted surfaces on the first and second latch parts; and 
 control surfaces on the second latch part engage with slanted contact surfaces in recesses of the first and second locking bolts generating the retracting force on the first and second locking bolts unlocking the first and second locking bolts.